Chapter 6
Lavinia was just about to hurl another insult when Frederick walked out of the room.
She instantly dropped the smug act, plastering on an innocent smile like nothing happened. []
“Frederick, that chicken soup you had sent over–worked wonders. I felt warm all over after just a few sips.”
Frederick’s awkward expression made my y skin crawl.[]
us like we were contestants on a game show. []
He really split one damn howl of soup between us li
A perfect diplomat.
How touching
The way he still looked at me–concerned, tender–made my stomach turn.
I forced down the urge to gag, turned away from him, and held my baby tight as I walked toward the door.
The baby’s soft cries drew has attention.
His face hardened as he turned to the nanny. []
“What happened?”
The nanny flinched, dropping to her knees.
She glanced nervously at Lavinia, who gave her a cold, warning look.
Resigned, the nanny bowed her head and spoke quickly:
“Please, General, have mercy–it was my fault.. I wasn’t careful..
Frederick snapped:
“Guards. Take her out. Fifty lashes.”
“Wait.”
My voice rang out, sharp and clear.
Frederick and Lavinia both tensed.
“Tell me, Frederick–is this how you command your troops too?”
“Or is it just easier t
to pin the blame on a servant, so you don’t have to deal with whoever actually hurt our child?” []
Frederick looked like he was scrambling for a response, hut Lavinia stepped in fast.
“Serena, are you trying to make it sound like I mistreated the baby?”
“Or like the General can’t run his own house?”
“You better think carefully before you start tossing around accusations.“]
This could ruin his future.”
Next mouth, Frederick was set to be prompted to Major General, thanks to a recommendation from Earl Carrington.
If a scandal hit now, a few whispers in the right circles w
would be all it took to tank his entire career. []
Frederick’s expresssun turned rold
“Forget it. It’s not that serious. We’ll just replace the
nanny. End of story I
Even after everything. I hadn’t expected him to step on his own child just to shield Lavirus
Was this the same Trederick Id once loved?
Maybe Hut not really
The man who’d once fought his family for me, who wore he’d protect me always-
He was gone swallowed by ambition.
– Tsaid quartly
“They say when you love someone, you love everything that comes with them.“[]
But if that love’s
then nothing matters.”
Frederick shook his head, panicked []
“No! He’s our child, I would never hurt him-
I cut him off, voice scy
“He’s my child. Don’t forget–we’re divorced now,” |
Trederick lunged forward, hugging me tight, voice breaking
“What divorce? I never agreed to that!”
I shoved him off me and stepped back
“It’s already been filed with the county clerk’s office.”
“You don’t have to agree. I’m done.
“Trederick, let’s end this with what little dignity we have left.”
His eyes turned red. He shook his head
After everything we’ve been through and now we have a baby how can you just walk away?”
I let out a bitter laugh, my voice filled with disdain.
“You’ve got some nerve flipping the script.
“If someone walked in right now, they’d think I’m the heartless one ”
“We’re already divorced. You want me to stick around for your wedding to
Lavinia curled her arm around his, her eyes dripping with contempt.
“Serena, do you even realize that if Frederick hadn’t stepped in, you would’ve died on the w
way to exile with your father?
You owe every good thing in your life to him. So why the attitude?
You re the daughter of a disgraced official“]
“You’re not even fu to shine my shoes. Iat were up to me
to me, I’d have thrown you out already.“[]
family’s estate, a concubine like y
you would ve been dumped us the fields by now to Tellect on your mistakes
“Try showing some gratitude –[
a stalno, a mistake, a love problem she thought ed finally cleaned up
depick stood there in
Didn’t defend me.
Didn’t deny her.
Didn’t stop her.
While she spewed venom, I got busy.
1 gathered every last thing I owned from before 1 married into this house.
Not much, honestly. A few dresses, some old letters.
Anything tied to Frederick, I tossed aside.
Three years.
And all I had left to call mine could fit in a single bag.
Trederick watched in silence, his face darkening by the second.
But when I picked up my)
baby and headed for the door-
He snapped.
“Serena… you’re really doing this?”
“Move.”
I stared him down, not hiding the disgust in my eyes.
He looked like a wild animal about to charge, red–eyed and furious, blocking the doorway like a mountain I had no hope a
Behind him, Lavinia panicked.
She must’ve realized if she didn’t act now, she might actually lose him.
“Frederick” she said, quicidy switching tones.
“Your father said he’s expecting us for lunch today.”
“It’s nearly time–shouldn’t we get going?” [
Frederick’s eyes
flicked with hesitation.
He paused–just f
for a moment–then turned back toward the hall.
“Guards,” he barked. [
“Block Serena’s wing. No one gets in or out without any say.”
“And keep a close eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t do anything drastic.”
Lavinia glared at me with pure hatred
If looks could kill, I’d be a corpse.
But she didn’t dare make a scene
Their wedding was tomorrow []
Even she knew not to screw that up with blood.
I sat alone is my room, cradling my baby. [
of scaling.
g at the bruses on his
streamed lown my fare
0
I’d thought my father would be cleared.
I thought I could give my child a future.
It was all gone.
Now-
Even my freedom was gone too.
